Don't rush Christmas; pause to offer thanks

Published: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 4:48 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 4:48 p.m.

Contrary to popular belief, there are more holidays before Christmas. Actually there are two whose purpose is supposed to give us the opportunity to reflect on the blessings in our lives. They are Thanksgiving and Veterans Day.

Unfortunately, we are a country of consumers, and the mere suggestion that we don't all froth at the mouth in frenzy of commercialism that has become Christmas can send some materialistic masses into a unstoppable tailspin. It really stuns me when people begin asking me on Halloween what my children want for Christmas or when end-of-summer sale items sit side by side with Santa Claus.

Have we totally become so self-involved that we can no longer contemplate pausing to give thanks for the men and women who have fought and died to protect our freedom? How many people even know when Veterans Day is, except when they don't get mail that day or the bank is closed? But I bet you many people know exactly what day Christmas is on and how many days they are going to have off from work and how many gifts must be purchased before that time. We can spend hours tweeting, checking Facebook and playing Words with Friends on our electronic gadgets but won't take five minutes to shake the hand of one of our veterans. After all they have done for us, why is it so hard just to simply say thank you?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it has one simple function. There are no gifts to be bought, there are no parties to attend, and there are not elaborate decorations that have to be put up. The only requirement on Thanksgiving is to cook and eat, which is something I love to do anyway.

Once again, this is a holiday to reflect and to thank God for all the people in your life. It is supposed to be a day to spend with family, enjoying each other's company and strengthening the bonds with loved ones. That is what it's supposed to be, but sadly that is not what it has become. Thanksgiving has become Christmas the prequel.

No longer are the mothers, wives and daughters happy to spend time concocting those lovely dishes that you only enjoy at Thanksgiving. There is no mouth-watering smell of turkey basting in the oven or tantalizing sweet potato pie permeating the house. There is no gathering of loved ones around the table to revel in thankfulness to tell family folklore or to remember family members who have passed away.

No, mom is sleeping in late in preparation for midnight Black Friday shopping, and fast food or pizza will suffice because it is more convenient when guzzled down sitting on a sidewalk in front of a store. Does anyone see a problem here?

The complaint is falling on deaf ears, but I'm going to keep saying it until someone acknowledges that Christmas has taken over the last three months of the year. It has put a golden web of mass consumerism over two holidays that were supposed to remind us to be thankful of the people and things we have. Instead we are engrossed in planning what we are going to buy and who has the best sales.

Let me be clear, it's not Christmas itself because the actual holiday is a beautiful and deeply moving experience. It is the whole concept that the theme of Christmas has become more stuff, more stuff, more stuff.

I know everyone has their own thoughts and feelings, but I am the kind of person who still naively thinks that the holidays shouldn't be how much useless stuff you can shove under the tree. How many people fall behind in their bills just so they can buy something outrageously expensive and, in most cases, foolishly unnecessary?

I think the problem is, beside the fact I'm turning into a curmudgeon, I have begun to appreciate the intangible things in life such as beautiful sunset or a laugh with my children. All of this focus on shopping just seems hollow and useless, and it encourages people to risk financial stability simply to say, "Look at me, look at what I have."

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but can we please just forget about all the stuff we are going to buy for Christmas for a few weeks and enjoy spending time with the people in our lives? Besides, when has a person ever looked back on their lives and said the one think they regretted was not buying more stuff?

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.

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